After a 6-5 loss to Boston on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays are scheduled to take on Atlanta this afternoon — weather permitting — in Port Charlotte. Tyler Glasnow will get the start for the Rays, making his second appearance of the Spring.
On Friday, Rich Hill walked two and threw 15 of 27 pitches for strikes (56% strike rate). He didn’t retire a batter during his time on the mound and, even though it was his first Spring outing, the southpaw was frustrated by his inability to throw strikes consistently.
That sucked. I think that’s one thing that I hold myself to a higher standard. For me every time I have an outing like that it’s frustrating.
— Rich Hill
While he threw plenty of strikes in his pre-game bullpen, Hill said he wasn’t able to get the ball down during the game.
Lack of driving the ball downhill, getting on top, throwing the ball downhill. I think it’s a simple fix. It’s just also something of getting out there and facing more hitters.
— Rich Hill
Meanwhile, Diego Castillo made his Spring debut and threw a scoreless second inning. The right-hander is the first of Tampa Bay’s back-end relievers to throw in a Grapefruit League contest and said he feels good mentally and physically, and if the season started today he’d be ready to go.
The New What Next
Glasnow, Trevor Richards, Cody Reed, Pete Fairbanks, and Shane Baz are scheduled to pitch this afternoon. However, with rain in the forecast, if the game was to be rained out, they would do some work instead.
I think we will get work in (if it rains). It’s not ideal. I don’t think anyone likes going in there. They like to get their work in, but they don’t like going in there and compete.
— Kevin Cash
Glasnow hit 100 mph multiple times in his first start of the Spring.
Rays 3/6/21 Starting Lineup
- Diaz 1B
- Meadows LF
- Arozarena RF
- Choi DH
- Tsutsugo 3B
- Adames SS
- Wendle 2B
- Margot CF
- Zunino C
- Glasnow RHP